Bicycle storage system

ABSTRACT

A bicycle storage system for storing a bicycle, comprising: (i) a first flange to support a lower surface of a bicycle frame, the frame rotating about this first flange under the weight of the rear of the bicycle; and (ii) a second flange to contact an upper surface of that frame to prevent further rotation of the frame about the first flange, the flanges being arranged to then securely hold the frame. The first and the second flanges may be formed into a single, sinuous edge of a hollow cylindrical unit; this unit may be sized to store bicycle accessories.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a bicycle storage system.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Bicycle storage systems are used in domestic and retail, and exhibitionsettings; there are many simple designs which enable a bicycle to behung off from the floor, such as a pair of metal arms upon which the topframe, tube or saddle of a bicycle can be rested. The arms may be wallmounted or extend from a stand. More elaborate ceiling mounted racks arealso known; these enable a bicycle to be suspended from the ceiling froma pair of hooks on which one or other part of the bicycle rests. Onedisadvantage of systems that rely on a bicycle frame to rest on a pairof supports is that it can be difficult to secure and mount horizontallya bicycle with a steeply sloping frame (e.g. some mountain bikes andmost ladies' bikes). Another disadvantage is that the generallyrudimentary metal design is not attractive. A final disadvantage is thatthey offer no integral storage space, e.g. to store cycling accessories,such as lights, gloves, reflective bands etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a bicycle storage system for storing a bicycle,comprising

-   -   (i) a first flange to support a lower surface of a bicycle        frame, the frame rotating about this first flange under the        weight of the rear of the bicycle; and    -   (ii) a second flange to contact an upper surface of that frame        to prevent further rotation of the frame about the first flange,        the flanges being arranged to then securely hold the frame.

The bicycle can then be held in a horizontal orientation. The first andthe second flanges may be formed into a single, sinuous edge of a hollowunit (such as a cylindrical body); this unit may be sized to storebicycle accessories (such as lights, gloves etc.).

The unit may be a one piece moulded object; the preferred implementationis a polymer type material (e.g a white polypropylene or HDPE) althougha fabricated metal structure may also be used where appropriate. Theunit may include an aperture sized to enable a lock to be passed throughto lock the frame to the cylindrical body.

The bicycle storage system of the present invention can be used as adomestic, office, public space and educational institution bicyclestorage system, as well as a retail and exhibition storage system. Thepreferred implementation is not only aesthetic, but is highly functionalsince it offers integral storage and enables different sizes and shapeof frame to be easily accommodated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an implementation of the presentinvention from the top;

FIG. 2 shows the FIG. 1 implementation holding part of a bicycle frame;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a preferred implementation of the presentinvention from the top;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the preferred implementation;

FIG. 5 a top plan view of the preferred implementation;

FIGS. 6, 7, 8 are isometric views of alternative implementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the most basic implementation: ametal bar extends from a fixing plate; the bar comprises two end arms,each with a semi-circular aperture; one aperture faces upwards and will,in use, grip and support the lower surface of the the bicycle top tube,the other aperture faces downwards and will, in use, contact the uppersurface of the top tube to stop the frame rotating. FIG. 2 shows thisimplementation actually storing a bicycle frame; the frame is kept in ahorizontal orientation.

FIGS. 3-5 show a preferred implementation; this comprises a one piecewhite polypropylene unit, formed as a cyclinder of approximately 250 mmdiameter at its widest and 275 mm maximum length. The outward facingedge of the cylinder is a sinuous curve defining two flanges. Duringinstallation, two bolts extending from or through the rear face of thecylinder are secured to a wall or other appropriate structure (e.g. astand for retail and exhibition purposes), with the bolts being able toslide in channels in the rear face to allow the orientation of thecylindrical body to be altered during installation of the system toenable frames of different geometries and sizes to be securely heldbetween the flanges. The bolts may pass through circular bolt holes in acircular hub placed inside the cylindrical body; the hub may have animage of a bicycle or other logo and include branding and other kinds ofcustomisation. This circular hub is hence fixed relative to the bolts,but the cylindrical body can be rotated about it during installation. Tofacilitate correct rotation of the cylindrical body, it is possible toinclude markers on the central hub that align with different markers onthe inside of the cylindrical body. A simple ratchet mechanism can alsobe deployed to control rotation of the body.

Once the correct orientation is established, the cylindrical body isthen fixed relative to the bolts as part of installation at the desiredorientation.

In use, a bicycle frame is lifted into position and onto the flange thatwill support it; this flange should face to the rear of the bicycle,which is the heavier end. The sinuous shape of the cylindrical edgefacilitates this process. Once the frame is resting on the supportingflange, it can be allowed to gradually tip back towards the rear of thebicycle until the top of the frame contacts the other flange; the twoflanges will then securely grip the frame. Small elastomer pads can bepositioned inside each flange to prevent any damage to the frame.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show alternative shapes for the unit; FIG. 8 has asolid front face to the unit. The operation of each of theseimplementations is the same as the preferred implementation.

It is also possible to mount a pair of units together, back-to-back,using an intermediary collar (not shown). The combined unit can then besupported on a stand. The stand can be vertically extended to supportseveral such combined units; this is particularly effecive for retailand exhibition displays of bicycles.

1. A bicycle storage system for storing a bicycle, comprising: (i) afirst contact region adapted to support a lower surface of a bicycleframe, and shaped so that the frame can rotate about this first contactregion under the weight of the rear of the bicycle; and (ii) a secondcontact region adapted to contact an upper surface of that frame toprevent further rotation of the frame about the first contact region,the contact regions being arranged to then securely hold the frame;wherein the first and the second contact regions are formed into asingle, continuous, sinuous edge or face of a unit and the unit ismountable on a support or against a supporting surface so that thebicycle can be stored without its wheels resting on the around.
 2. Thebicycle storage system of claim 1 in which the unit is hollow andbicycle accessories can be stored within the hollow unit.
 3. The bicyclestorage system of claim 1 in which the unit is a one piece moldedobject.
 4. The bicycle storage system of claim 1, comprising bolts thatsecure the unit to a wall or other appropriate structure, with the boltsbeing able to slide in channels in a face of the unit abutting the wall,to allow the orientation of the unit to be altered during installationof the system to enable frames of different geometries and sizes to besecurely held between the contact regions, with the unit being fixedrelative to the bolts as part of installation.
 5. The bicycle storagesystem of claim 1 when used as a domestic storage system.
 6. The bicyclestorage system of claim 1 when used as a retail or exhibition storagesystem.
 7. The bicycle storage system of claim 1 when used as a bicyclestorage system in an office, educational institution or public space. 8.The bicycle storage system of claim 1 comprising an aperture in the unitsized to enable a lock to be passed through to lock the frame to theunit.
 9. (canceled)